Hair-Removal Device Using Pulsed Electromagnetic Radiation

ABSTRACT

The hair-removal device comprises a housing, a flashlamp arranged inside the housing, the housing having an opening through which electromagnetic energy originating from the flashlamp can be transmitted towards a skin surface. 
     The housing comprises:
         a cavity adjacent to the flashlamp;   at least one aeration orifice; and   at least one mobile component in the housing, which can be displaced between a first so-called aeration position, in which said cavity communicates with said aeration orifice and a second so-called closed position, for which said cavity is closed in order to limit the light escaping from the opening.
 
Said mobile component can be formed by a housing portion that can close the cavity except for the opening, by moving towards a complementary housing portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the hair-removal appliances used forlocal cutaneous applications and emitting visible and/or infrared (V/IR)radiation pulses, these pulses being generated by an incoherentelectromagnetic energy source such as a flashlamp—generally xenon—inwhich electric energy previously stored in one or more capacitors isdischarged.

More particularly, the invention relates to a device intended for hairremoval, comprising a housing, a flashlamp, a coupler, a filter insertedbetween the flashlamp and the coupler, a first fixing arrangement forfixing the filter in the housing, a second fixing arrangement for fixingthe flashlamp in the housing, the coupler making it possible to directelectromagnetic energy originating from the flashlamp onto a skinsurface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

These appliances produce pulses the duration of which is generallycomprised between 5 and 80 ms, which is exceptionally long for a flashand, for this raison, presents specific heat dissipation problems.

In this type of appliance, the high-power flashlamps (dedicated tophototherapy) for dispensing an intense pulsed light have a watercooling system. Typically, the xenon tube is immersed in a closed cavityin which the cooling liquid circulates. This liquid is circulated by apump. It passes into a radiator in order to allow heat diffusion. Theradiator is associated with a large, powerful fan.

One of the drawbacks of the water cooling systems is the requirement toguarantee a perfectly watertight circuit, in particular at the lamp.This systematically results in an increase in the bulk and weight of theappliance. Moreover, pollution of the cooling liquid regularly occurs,which leads to pollution of the lamp (walls). Premature ageing of thelamp makes it necessary to change the lamp, resulting in more frequentunavailability of the appliance.

A need therefore exists for compact appliances that do not have themajor drawbacks linked to a water cooling circuit.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide ahair-removal device that is equipped with a compact system foreffectively diffusing the heat generated by the use of the flashlamp.

To this end, the housing of the hair-removal device comprises:

-   -   a cavity adjacent to the flashlamp;    -   at least one aeration orifice; and    -   at least one component which is mobile in the housing, and which        can be displaced between a first so-called aeration position, in        which said cavity communicates with said aeration orifice and a        second so-called closed position, for which said cavity is        closed in order to limit the light escaping from the opening.

By means of these arrangements, it is possible to produce a flashlamphair-removal device the heating of which is effectively limited andwhich saves costs due to the elimination of the pipes, the pump and theradiator, not to mention the different joints. Furthermore the bulk isreduced. A simple local reduced format fan or even diffusion by naturalconvection can suffice to ventilate the surface of the filter betweentwo flashes.

Furthermore, the applicator that incorporates the lamp can be designedas an autonomous element, with or without a cord connecting it to a basethat does not include a cooling circuit for example. This results in agreater ease of handling, allowing a single individual to carry out hairremoval on any surface of their own skin. By way of non-limitativeexample, the housing can have a component which, when the flashlamp isfixed, moves the interface or end coupler of the device closer to theflashlamp or vice versa, for example by a simple pushing movement.

According to another feature, the housing has:

-   -   a first housing portion having the opening; and    -   a second housing portion allowing a displacement in translation        between the first housing portion and the second housing        portion, the flashlamp being integral with the second housing        portion, the mobile component being formed by one of the first        and second portions.

Thus, the device according to the invention remains simple in designwith one portion that is mobile in relation to the other which is heldfixed when the housing is closed.

According to another feature, the first housing portion is a head andthe second housing portion forms a handle that can be grasped by a hand,which makes it possible to move the flashlamp closer to the free end ofthe head when the head is supported on a surface outside the device.Thus, the housing is easy to handle and actuation can be carried outintuitively just after arranging the head so that it is supported viathe coupler on the skin surface to be treated.

According to another feature, the device comprises inside the housing:

-   -   a coupler making it possible to direct the electromagnetic        energy originating from the flashlamp onto a skin surface;    -   a filter inserted between the flashlamp and the coupler;    -   a first fixing arrangement for fixing the filter in the housing;        and    -   a second fixing arrangement for fixing the flashlamp in the        housing;        the mobile component moving at least one of the first and second        fixing arrangements, the flashlamp being arranged substantially        opposite and at a distance from the filter for said first        position, the flashlamp and the filter being moved close        together for said closed position.

Thus, the surface of the filter can be cooled down during eachintermediate period between two flashes.

According to another feature, the first fixing arrangement possesses adegree of freedom in translation between the coupler and the flashlamp,the first fixing arrangement being held at a distance from the couplerby at least one elastic stress component placed on the periphery of thecoupler. Thus, the elastic return force exerted on the first fixingarrangement makes it possible to arrange the filter at a distance fromthe coupler by default. It will be understood that the actuation of thedrive connection or mechanism simultaneously allows the lamp to movecloser to the filter on the one hand, and the filter closer to thecoupler on the other hand.

According to another feature, the first fixing arrangement comprises atubular-shaped support that comprises on the side opposite the coupler,elastic clipping tabs holding between them the filter, the housingcomprising a tubular portion surrounding the support and making itpossible to guide the support. Thus, due to the presence of the support,the filter can be displaced in translation without the risk of beingaltered mechanically.

According to another feature, the second fixing arrangement forms withthe flashlamp an expendable unit that can be removed from the housingand comprises a box for accommodating the flashlamp, said box having:

-   -   an end surface having a window to allow the rays from the        flashlamp to escape;    -   first fixing elements defining ends opposite said end surface;    -   second fixing elements arranged on the periphery of the window;        the first fixing elements being configured to engage with at        least one piece elongated in a first direction, whilst the        second fixing elements are configured to engage with at least        one component elongated in a second direction perpendicular to        the first direction.

By means of these arrangements, the expendable unit fits perfectlyinside the housing of the hair-removal device, generating minimum bulk,and effectively contributes to the kinematics of moving the flashlampand the filter closer to each other.

According to another feature, the inside of the housing has a surfacefor guiding a flow of air parallel to the filter and from which saidelongated component extends in a direction generally perpendicular tothe filter. The guiding surface makes it possible to guide the flow ofair between the filter and the lamp in the active position of the device(for example 2-3 mm).

According to another feature, said elongated component has a shoulderand ends in a rod end portion, the box comprising at least one recesswith a base and a spring provided in the recess, the recess making itpossible to receive at least part of said elongated component, thespring having a first end supported on the base and a second endsupported on the shoulder of the elongated component, said spring beingcompressed for said closed position in which the flashlamp and thefilter are moved close together. By means of these arrangements, the boxaccommodating the lamp automatically returns to its rest position,retracted in relation to the filter.

According to another feature, the first fixing elements comprise metalpower conducting elements for supplying the flashlamp. Thus, theflashlamp can be powered by a generator integrated into the housing, forexample in the part forming a handle. This makes it possible to optimizethe ergonomics of the components inside the housing. The appliance madeup of the housing, the flashlamp, the filter and the coupler forms anautonomous assembly. It will be understood that the presence of anelectrically conductive connection in fixing elements involved in thedrive system allows the user to change the expendable unit withouthaving to disconnect/connect additional connectors inside the housing.

According to another feature, the second fixing arrangement comprises abox making it possible to accommodate the flashlamp and having metalpower conducting elements extending opposite the coupler, the secondmobile housing portion having at least one substantially cylindricalmetal part to which the power conducting elements are fixed.

Thus, the electric contact to the lamp can be produced via cylindersconstituted by a solid mass of a conductive material, for example copper(which makes it possible to optimize the efficiency of the power supplyto the flashlamp).

According to another feature, the box has a window that allows aplurality of rays to escape from the flashlamp in a determined generalorientation, the first housing portion having at least one elongatedpart to guide the box along an axis parallel to said determined generalorientation. Thus, the movement of the flashlamp is made secure, only astraight translation being permitted.

According to another feature, the device comprises a generator to whichthe flashlamp is connected, a sensor capable of delivering a piece ofinformation representative of the occupation of said closed position bysaid mobile component, and a control device associated with thegenerator, configured to receive at least one piece of information fromthe sensor and allow the emission of a single flash of light when saidclosed position has been detected by the sensor. Thus, multiple flashesof light onto the same treatment surface in a short period of time areprevented.

Moreover, a subject of the invention is also an expendable unit for adevice according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises:

-   -   a flashlamp;    -   a box for accommodating the flashlamp, having an end surface        with a window to allow rays from the flashlamp to escape;    -   on the side of the end surface and on the periphery of the        window, at least one recess in which a spring is placed which        has an end mobile between a compressed retracted position        allowing the cavity of the device to be closed in order to limit        light escaping except towards the opening and an extended        position for which the cavity communicates with the aeration        orifice of the device; and    -   at least one element for fixing the box to the housing, having a        stop surface that is oriented in an opposite direction with        respect to the thrust direction of the spring

Thus, the expendable unit equipped with its springs makes it possible tomaintain in a rest position (between two flashes) the communicationbetween the cavity and the aeration orifice or orifices of the housing.Passages are for example arranged in the box, on either side of thewindow, in order to ensure the communication of air towards the cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent during the following description of several embodiments, givenby way of non-limitative examples, with reference to the attacheddrawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B each show a front and profile view respectively, of thehead of a hair-removal device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an expendable unit including theflashlamp in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a hair-removal device according tothe invention for the rest position;

FIG. 4A is a view along the plane A-A in FIG. 1A of the head of thehair-removal device for the rest position of the device;

FIG. 4B is a view along the plane B-B in FIG. 1B of the head of thehair-removal device for the rest position of the device;

FIG. 5A shows a view along the plane A-A in FIG. 1A of the head of thehair-removal device for the active position of the device;

FIG. 5B shows a view along the plane B-B in FIG. 1B of the head of thehair-removal device for the active position of the device;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the position of the filter inthe head of the hair-removal device for the actuated position of thedevice;

FIG. 7 shows an upper shell of the handle of a hair-removal deviceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of a hair-removal device according to theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The same references in different figures denote identical or similarelements. In what follows, by flashlamp 10 is meant any incoherentelectromagnetic energy source suitable for a hair removal treatment.More generally, the phraseology and the different terminologies usedonly serve the purposes of description and should not be interpretedlimitatively.

According to the present invention, it is possible to carry out hairremoval by exposing a hairy area to intense electromagnetic energy inthe form of flashes of light. This energy heats the hairs and inparticular affects the follicles without damaging healthy skin. Anoptically transparent gel of a type known per se is preferably appliedbefore the treatment. The gel serves to eliminate the air gap comprisedbetween the end of the coupler and the surface of the epidermis. The geltherefore contributes to the efficiency of the optical transmission.

The hair-removal device 11 comprises a flashlamp 10, for example and inno way limitatively a xenon flashlamp, making it possible to cover arelatively extensive area, for example between 4 and 50 cm². This makesit possible to reduce the treatment time. The shape of the beam can be aregular rectangular shape or a similar symmetrical shape with a surfacearea comprised between 6 and 44 cm².

Now with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 3, the flashlamp 10 isaccommodated inside a housing that can be split into two housingportions (12, 13) one of which forms a handle 12 and the other a head13. These two housing portions (12, 13) can assembled by locking via atleast two peripheral tabs 13 a on the head 13 each cooperating with ananalogous groove g (FIG. 7), channel or cavity of the handle 12 whichallows a freedom of movement along a longitudinal axis passing throughthe handle 12 and the head 13. Naturally, other appropriate assemblymethods can be used.

By way of example as illustrated in FIG. 3, the head 13 has an endopening 14 through which a coupler 15 passes that makes it possible todirect the electromagnetic energy originating from the flashlamp 10 ontoa skin surface during a hair removal treatment carried out by the device11. In other words, the coupler 15 defines an optical conduit betweenthe flashlamp 10 and the skin surface to be treated, preferably coatedwith a gel. The coupler 15 can be at least quartz-based or made ofanother transparent solid material. The coupler 15 can be constituted byone or more parts; it can be a simple glass pane.

A power source (not shown) can be placed inside the handle 12 andconnected to the flashlamp 10. The power source can be autonomous andrecharged via a connector provided in the handle 12 for connection to ahair-removal device management base 11 or to the mains. The housingillustrated in the figures can be grasped and carried in one hand. Thehair-removal device 11 formed by the housing and its contents can thusdeliver a plurality of flashes in independent and autonomous manner.

With reference to FIG. 3, the optical coupler 15 placed in the head 13projects beyond the end opening 14 of the head 13. The internal volumeof the housing portion forming the head 13 makes it possible toaccommodate the main part of the coupler 15. Furthermore, the flaredshape of the head 13 in the embodiment shown makes it possible to causethe air to circulate laterally from the flashlamp 10 arranged to therear of the coupler 15, as well as in a space or cavity C (FIG. 4B)defined between the flashlamp 10 and the coupler 15.

In the embodiment shown, the handle 12 can be actuated as a whole by theuser in a pushing movement in straight translation towards the free endof the head 13 held against a surface to be treated in order to triggera flash. During operation, the surface to be treated blocks the head 13,which makes it possible to displace the handle 12 by a pushing movement.This translation movement being relative, it can equally be consideredthat the handle 12 is kept fixed and that the head 13 is pushed into thehandle 12, or also that these two housing portions are both displacedtowards each other. The extent of the displacement can substantiallycorrespond to the distance d between the edge 16 of the circumference ofthe head 13 and an adjacent external edge B of the handle 12. The edge16 to the rear of the head 13 defines an opening which is large enoughto allow the insertion of the front end of the handle 12 into theinternal volume of the head 13.

The displacement of the handle 12 is permitted by the space left betweenthe flashlamp 10 and the coupler 15, inside the head 13. An elasticreturn system maintains by default the internal gap between the housingportion forming the handle 12 and the housing portion forming the head13, so that air can easily circulate in this space between two flashes.

The drive connection associated with the handle 12 will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 2, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B and 6.

In a manner known per se, the flashlamp 10 corresponds to anelectromagnetic source accommodated in a box 18, the assembly being ableto form an expendable unit (10, 18) which can be removed from thehousing. As shown in FIG. 2, the box 18 has an end surface with a window19 to allow the rays from the flashlamp 10 to escape. The box 18 alsocomprises on the one hand first fixing elements 20 arranged opposite thewindow, and on the other hand second fixing elements 21 arranged on theperiphery of the window 19. The first fixing elements 20 ensure themechanical connection between the expendable unit (10, 18) and thehandle 12, whilst the second fixing elements 21 help to wedge theexpendable unit (10, 18) in a determined position in relation to thehead 13 of the hair-removal device 11. The fixing made possible by theserespective elements (20, 21) is of detachable type and the expendableunit (10, 18) can be removed manually, without using a tool.

The mechanical connection between the expendable unit (10, 18) and thehandle 12 makes it possible to push the flashlamp 10 towards the coupler15 when the user actuates the handle 12. Naturally, the actuation makingit possible to displace the flashlamp 10 can also be initiateddifferently, depending on the structure of the mobile component or thedrive mechanism chosen in order to allow this displacement.

As indicated in FIG. 6, at least one filter 17 is provided in thehousing to filter the beam originating from the flashlamp 10. Thisfilter 17 can be arranged between the flashlamp 10 and the coupler 15.This filter 17, or in an alternative embodiment several filters, areused in order to control the spectrum generated by the flashlamp 10. Anabsorption filter 17 can thus be used. Under certain conditions of use,the filter 17 could also be removed.

With reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B, the hair-removal device 11according to the invention has a deactivated position or rest position(FIGS. 4A and 4B) and an activated position (FIGS. 5A and 5B). In therest position, the ventilation or aeration circuit ventilates the filter17 via the cavity or cavities C adjacent to the filter 17. The cavity Ccommunicates with the outside in this position, for example via sidepassages P. In the activated position, the box 18 accommodating theflashlamp 10 is displaced in order to move close to the flashlamp 10 ofthe filter 17. After this relative moving together of the box 18 and thehead 13, the cavity C adjacent to the flashlamp 10 is isolated from therest of the housing and forms a narrow enclosure that limits the lightescaping laterally and can thus promote the optical transmission towardsthe opening 14. On the side opposite this opening 14, the flashlamp 10is surrounded by a reflector arranged in the box 18. The cavity definedby the reflector is extended by the cavity C. It will be understood thatleaving the active position leads to an intake of air in front of thewindow 19, the air arriving via passages passing through the box 18and/or lateral passages. The air can pass through the box 18 in spacesarranged essentially level with the external electrodes of the flashlamp10 (passages on the outside of the reflector as can be seen in FIG. 2for example). Ventilation of the cavity C is thus achieved. It will beunderstood that the arrangement made in the box 18 can serve to channelair originating for example from a fan incorporated into the device 11and destined for the cavity C, and advantageously also makes it possibleto cool down the electrodes.

In the embodiment shown, the filter 17 is substantially flat andarranged in the housing in its intermediate position using a fixingarrangement integral with the head 13. As shown in particular in FIG. 6,this fixing arrangement comprises a tubular-shaped support 22, forexample in the form of a frame, with dimensions comparable to those ofthe filter 17. This support 22 has a degree of freedom in translationbetween the coupler 15 and the flashlamp 10 installed in the housing,along an axis perpendicular to a plane defined by the filter 17.

As shown in FIG. 4A which corresponds to a retracted position of theexpendable unit (10, 18) accommodating the flashlamp 10, one or moreelastic stress components 23 such as springs are placed longitudinally,for example in a peripheral arrangement around the coupler 15, in orderto hold the support 22 and the filter 17 at a distance from the coupler15. These elastic stress components 23 are for example supported on aframe or an internal ring 24 formed around the coupler 15, at the end ofthe head 13.

For the activated position of the hair-removal device 11 shown in FIGS.5A and 5B, these elastic stress components 23 can be compressed by atleast one support surface of the support 22 of the filter 17. In thisactivated position, the expendable unit (10, 18) and the filter 17 areboth moved close to the coupler 15. Contact is for example establishedbetween the filter 17 and the coupler 15 in this position. The thrustcontact between the support 22 of the filter 17 and the box 18 iscarried out at a distance from the filter 17, by means of clipping tabs25 retaining between them the filter 17 and extending towards the rearof the head 13. There are at least three clipping tabs 25, and inparticular four in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 (activated position).

In its extended position (activated position of the device), asillustrated in FIG. 5A, the box 18 is supported on the free end of theclipping tabs 25 and thus pushes the support 22 of the filter 17 as awhole in towards the front of the head 13. The pushed-in position of thesupport 12 of the filter 17 is shown in FIG. 6. The end of travel forthis pushing-in of the support 22 can be prescribed by the joint betweenthe edge 16 of the head 13 and the edge B of the handle. Thus, thefilter 17 held on its support 22 can be precisely positioned against thecoupler without being deformed, which contributes to the maintenance ofthe integrity of the filter 17. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, theedges (13, B) have a complementary shape. In the example illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5B, this pushed-in position corresponds to a bringing ofthe filter 17 into contact against the coupler 15.

With reference to FIG. 6, the housing portion forming the head 13 cancomprise a tubular portion 26 that surrounds the support 22 and makes itpossible to guide the latter. The tubular portion 26 has for example aninternal surface with slots. Projecting elements 28 or radialprojections from the support 22 can slide in these guide slots.

The tubular portion 26 also defines a surface 27 oriented towards therear of the head 13 and making it possible to guide a flow of airparallel to the filter 17, as illustrated in FIG. 4B in the deactivatedposition of the device 11. The fact that the filter 17 can be displacedmakes it possible to define in the housing, for the deactivatedposition, spaces on either side of the filter 17 in order to allow acooling of the latter. The translation movement or other appropriatemovement makes it possible to increase the spacing between the filterand the flashlamp during the return to the deactivated position, suchthat the air entering the intermediate volume thus created can cool downthe surface of the filter 17 efficiently by convection. Being able toventilate the filter 17 on both its surfaces allows efficient coolingwhen the energy supplied is high. Furthermore, the filter 17 is thusprevented as far as possible from transmitting its thermal energy to theoptical conduit defined by the coupler 15. Cooling on only one surfacecan also be satisfactory for applications with a lower level of energy.The separation or distancing of the filter 17 in relation to theelements that accumulate heat (xenon tube and reflector) advantageouslycuts down the possibilities of heat transmission, in particular to thecoupler 15. The fineness of the filter 17 also makes it easier to cooldown.

The housing can incorporate one or more reduced format fans (not shown),for example at the handle 2. With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, thecavity or space between the front surface of the box 18 and the filter17 can be ventilated inside the housing via passages passing throughand/or around the box 18. In the same way, the space formed between thefilter 17 and the coupler 15 can be ventilated. The opening of thepassages through the box 18 can for example be shifted laterallyoutwards in relation to the ends of the filter 17. The air leaving thesepassages can then, in the rest position, circulate fully in the cavityor cavities C adjacent to the filter 17. It will thus be understood thatthe filter 17 is efficiently cooled between two flashes. It will beunderstood that the mobility to the activated position of the device 11makes it possible to limit the losses of light (improvement in energyoutput). The mobility towards the rest position of the device 11 makesit possible to reduce the state of confinement around the flashlamp 10,which limits the possibilities for efficient aeration of the latter.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4B, 5B and 6, the housing also has one or moreelongated components 30 that extend from the guiding surface 27 insidethe housing up to a free end 30 a in the form of a stud, in a generaldirection perpendicular to the filter 17 and in a direction opposite thedirection of radiation. These elongated components 30 penetrate withtheir free end 30 a into recesses in the box 18. These cylindricallyshaped recesses form the second fixing elements 21 of the box 18. Thebox 18 is thus made integral in rotation with the housing portionforming the head 13. The elongated components 30 on the other hand leavea freedom of movement in translation along a longitudinal axis of thehair-removal device 11. The box 18 is thus guided in translation bythese elongated components 30 which can be presented in the form ofrods.

With reference to FIG. 6, the elongated component 30 has a shoulder 30 band ends in a rod portion up to the free end 30 a. The box 18 has atleast one recess with a base and a spring (not shown) provided in therecess, the recess making it possible to receive at least part of saidelongated component 30, the spring having a first end supported on thebase and a second end supported on the shoulder 30 b, said spring beingcompressed for the second position in which the flashlamp 10 and thefilter 17 are moved close together.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B corresponding to the activatedposition of the hair-removal device 11, each of the elongated components30 completely penetrates into the corresponding recess in the box 18.The latter is then supported by its front end surface on the guidingsurface 27. It will be understood that in the activated position, thecavity or space for the aeration of the filter 17 is eliminated orreduced and crossed through by aeration passages. In order to prevent auser from triggering several flashes in this position, a sensor is forexample provided in the housing that delivers a piece of informationrepresentative of the occupation of the activated position with a movingtogether of the flashlamp 10 and the filter 17. A control deviceassociated with the generator which supplies the flashlamp 10 is alsoprovided in the housing to receive one or more pieces of informationfrom this sensor and allow the emission of a single flash of light whenthe activated position has been detected by the sensor.

In practice, after having chosen the area to be treated, the user mustexert pressure on the handle 12 in order to obtain the activatedposition, a flash then being triggered. Then, the user releases thepressure and allows the handle 12 to return to its default deactivationposition. During the pressure release time, the device 11 can bedisplaced in order to be applied to the next area to be treated.

With reference now to FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, the housing portion forming thehandle 12 can have external air intake orifices O1, whilst internal airdelivery orifices O2 can be provided at the joint between the handle 12and the head 13. Two complementary shells (121, 122) can be assembled inorder to form the handle 12, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The lower shell122 has for example several orifices O2 distributed along the handle 12.The power supply generator of the flashlamp 10 can be accommodated atthe rear of the housing. Cylinders 32 made of copper, held by concavesupports 34 formed integrally with the shells (121, 122) of the handle12, are in direct electric contact with an internal end part of theelectric connectors of the box 18. The significant mass of thesecylinders 32 leads to significant thermal inertia making it possible toreduce the heating at the electric contacts. In one embodiment, the sizeof the external electrodes of the tube of the flashlamp 10 issignificant to limit the thermal heating. These external electrodesextend for example over more than a centimetre. In order to increasetheir thermal inertia, they can have a large diameter and a relativelygreat length.

The box 18 can be equipped with copper-beryllium alloy CuBe₂ basedspring contact strips 33. These contact strips 33 also form at leastpart of the first fixing elements 20 provided for fixing the box 18 tothe housing portion forming the handle 12. These contact strips 33extend the opposite way to the coupler 15 and are spaced in relation toeach other and arranged in the form of an open clipping collar, asillustrated in FIGS. 4A to 5B. The contact strips 33 can thus be fixedto components, such as cylinders, which are elongated transversallyalong an axis perpendicular to the elongated components 30 guiding thetranslation movement of the box 18 accommodating the flashlamp 10. Inthe box 18, the connection with the external electrodes of the flashlamp10 can be in a form completely similar to those of the contact strips33.

The beryllium material CuBe₂ has characteristics that are optimized forthe electric conduction, heat conduction and elasticity necessary for“clipping”/“unclipping” during the changing of the expendable unit (10,18). Certain parts made of CuBe₂ and copper can be gilded with fine goldin order facilitate the 300 V/300 A electric contacts. This electricconnection part is for example ventilated by one or more fans placed inthe handle 12.

The assembly of the expendable unit (10, 18) in the housing can becarried out in simple manner by the user, for example during thereplacement of the flashlamp 10. The housing can first be separated intotwo by removal of the head 13. The box 18 is then coupled to the handle12 by the first fixing elements 20 (via the cylinders 32). This involvesa clipping operation. It then remains to close the housing by clippingthe head 13 onto the handle 12 by the two tabs 13 a. The device is thenassembled and operational.

One of the advantages of the device is better energy management whichmakes it possible to equal the characteristics of the best professionalmaterial in a totally optimized bulk.

It must be obvious to persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention allows embodiments in numerous other specific forms withoutdeparting from the field of application of the invention as claimed. Inparticular, although the description relates to an appliance of which apart of the housing forming the handle 12 can actuate the drive systemby pushing, it will be understood that any other mode of actuation canbe used (rotation, helical movement, pulling, actuation of a pushbuttonor trigger, etc.) in order to lead to an analogous result. Thus, asupport structure of the filter 17 and/or of the coupler 15 can be mademobile relative to the rest of the housing which comprises the flashlamp10. The support on the skin surface to be treated makes it possible forexample to actuate the displacement of this mobile structure in thiscase.

Moreover, the decoupling between two flashes can simply consist of theseparation of the filter 17 from the flashlamp 10 (single decoupling)instead of separation of the filter 17 from both the flashlamp 10 andthe coupler 15 (double decoupling). Ventilation of the entire surface ofthe filter 17 remains effectively ensured with a single decoupling.Alternatively or complementarily, the closing of the cavity C can alsobe triggered by use of one or more mobile components displacing wallsblocking communication passages with the cavity C or any similar spaceadjacent to the flashlamp 10.

1. A device intended for hair removal, comprising a housing, a flashlamparranged inside the housing, the housing having an opening through whichelectromagnetic energy originating from the flashlamp can be transmittedtowards a skin surface, the housing comprising: a cavity adjacent to theflashlamp; at least one aeration orifice; and at least one mobilecomponent, which can be moved between a first so-called aerationposition, in which said cavity communicates with said aeration orificeand a second so-called closed position, for which said cavity is closedin order to limit the light escaping from the opening.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, in which the housing has: a first housing portionthat comprises said opening; and a second housing portion allowing adisplacement in translation between the first housing portion and thesecond housing portion, the flashlamp being integral with the secondhousing portion, the mobile component being formed by one of said firstand second portions.
 3. The device according to claim 2, in which thefirst housing portion is a head and the second housing portion forms ahandle which can be grasped by a hand, said mobile component making itpossible to move the flashlamp towards the free end of the head when thehead is supported on a surface outside the device.
 4. The deviceaccording to claim 1, comprising inside the housing: a coupler making itpossible to direct the electromagnetic energy originating from theflashlamp onto a skin surface; a filter inserted between the flashlampand the coupler; a first fixing arrangement for fixing the filter in thehousing; and a second fixing arrangement for fixing the flashlamp in thehousing; said mobile component displacing at least one of the first andsecond fixing arrangements, the flashlamp being arranged substantiallyopposite and at a distance from the filter for said aeration position,the flashlamp and the filter being moved close together for said closedposition.
 5. The device according to claim 4, in which the first fixingarrangement has a degree of freedom in translation between the couplerand the flashlamp, the first fixing arrangement being held at a distancefrom the coupler by at least one elastic stress component placed on theperiphery of the coupler.
 6. The device according to claim 4, in whichthe first fixing arrangement comprises a tubular support that compriseson the side opposite the coupler, elastic clipping tabs retaining saidfilter between them, the housing comprising a tubular portionsurrounding the support and making it possible to guide the support. 7.The device according to claim 4, in which the second fixing arrangementforms with the flashlamp an expendable unit that can be removed from thehousing and comprises a box for accommodating the flashlamp, said boxhaving: an end surface having a window to allow the rays from theflashlamp to escape; first fixing elements defining ends opposite saidend surface; and second fixing elements arranged on the periphery of thewindow; the first fixing elements being configured to engage with atleast one pieceelongated in a first direction, whilst the second fixingelements are configured to engage with at least one component elongatedin a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
 8. Thedevice according to claim 7, in which the inside of the housing has asurface for guiding a flow of air parallel to the filter and from whichsaid elongated component extends in a general direction perpendicular tothe filter.
 9. The device according to claim 7, in which said elongatedcomponent has a shoulder and ends in an end rod portion, the boxcomprising at least one recess with a base and a spring provided in therecess, the recess making it possible to receive at least part of saidelongated component, the spring having a first end supported on the baseand a second end supported on the shoulder of the elongated component,said spring being compressed for said closed position in which theflashlamp and the filter are moved close together.
 10. The deviceaccording to claim 7, in which the first fixing elements comprise metalpower conducting elements to power the flashlamp.
 11. The deviceaccording to claim 9, in which the second fixing arrangement comprises abox making it possible to accommodate the flashlamp and having metalpower conducting elements extending the opposite way to the coupler, thesecond mobile housing portion having at least one substantiallycylindrical metal piece to which the power conducting elements arefixed.
 12. The device according to claim 11, in which the box has awindow that allows a plurality of rays from the flashlamp to escape in adetermined general orientation, the first housing portion having atleast one elongated guiding part of the box along an axis parallel tosaid determined general orientation.
 13. The device according to claim1, comprising a generator to which are connected the flashlamp, a sensorcapable of delivering a piece of information representative of theoccupation by said mobile component of said closed position, and acontrol device associated with the generator configured to receive atleast one piece of information from the sensor and allow the emission ofa single flash of light when said closed position has been detected bythe sensor.
 14. An expendable unit for the device according to claim 1,further including: a flashlamp; a box for accommodating the flashlamp,having an end surface with a window to allow the rays from the flashlampto escape; on the side of the end surface and on the periphery of thewindow, at least one recess in which a spring is placed, which has anend mobile between a compressed retracted position allowing the cavityof the device to be closed in order to limit light escaping excepttowards the opening and an extended position for which the cavitycommunicates with the aeration orifice of the device; and at least oneelement for fixing the box to the housing, having a stop surface that isoriented in an opposite direction in relation to the thrust direction ofthe spring.